Climate change hits Jeju island's mandarin oranges

The pillar mandarin orange sector on South Korea's Jeju island is facing mounting challenges as climate change disrupts traditional cultivation practices, with prolonged tropical nights and rising temperatures delaying harvests and impacting fruit quality, according to latest industry reports.

"Mandarins develop their yellow color when nighttime temperatures fall below 20 C," said Hyun Jong-ho, manager at the Namwon Agricultural Product Center, one of Jeju's busiest distribution centers.

"This year's prolonged heat has reduced the quantity of harvest-ready mandarins," Hyun said.